WebMD reviews celebrity gluten-free diet book

by Tiffany Janes on October 2nd, 2009

It seems that almost everyone has on opinion about Elisabeth Hasselbeck's book "The G Free Diet". People tend to think one of two things about it. They think it's great that a celebrity finally spoke out about having celiac disease since we desperately need the publicity. Or they feel that it's extremely unfortunate that the book contains quite a bit of inaccurate information, thus setting us back on our quest instead of forward.
In the back of the book the author lists some of her favorite things like Flax Crackers from Sami's Bakery in Tampa, FL. However, the only things that the bakery owner will confirm are gluten-free are the cookies and brownies made in a sealed off room. The millet/flax items are not considered gluten-free. There is a disclaimer on the packaging of their "no gluten ingredients" products, due to how/where they are processed. Some stores are pulling the products from their shelves in response to the information in Hasselbeck's book stirring up a controversy about the product line.

What I think really matters in the scheme of things is what experts think about the book. WebMB weighs in with a thorough and fair review of the book in this thoughtful article. It shows the pros and cons of it coming out, in my opinion. Personally I think the the G Free Dining Card in the back of the book should be removed for future printings. It is not entirely accurate and only confuses servers in restaurants. And that is something for which I do not thank Ms. Hasselbeck at all.

For those in need of a well researched book on all aspects of the gluten-free diet, I highly recommend 'Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Resource Guide- Revised and Expanded Edition' by Shelley Case, RD, an international Celiac nutrition expert and member of the Medical Advisory Boards of the Celiac Disease Foundation and Gluten Intolerance Group in the US and Professional Advisory Board of the Canadian Celiac Association. When I was diagnosed with Celiac several years ago, I could not have survived without the third edition of Shelley's book.If you need a book to help you learn how to live gluten-free, please consider getting Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive guide.